Cougar coach Kalani Sitake was asked immediately regarded the availability of two of the team’s most prominent players during Monday’s weekly press conference, and responded somewhat more directly than he normally does with regards to injury information.

“(We’re) still evaluating yesterday and today, and (will) probably get more information. Right now, it looks doubtful for both of them,” Sitake stated succinctly when presented the question foremost on most Cougar fan’s minds.

Martin left Saturday’s 17-10 win over TCU midway through the first quarter with an apparent lower leg injury. The reigning Big 12 Conference offensive player of the year was seen speaking adamantly with trainers while testing out his ankle during timeouts up until halftime before returning to the field in street clothes for the game’s final 30 minutes.

Glasker, on the other hand, seemed to have landed awkwardly on his hip during teammate Faletau Satuala’s interception return, and left the field gingerly right after. The former Bingham standout was then ushered immediately into the injury tent and returned with a towel draped over his head and a significant limp while receiving the well wishes from most of his defensive teammates.

The exact nature of both injuries wasn’t disclosed, although BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga indicated during his interview with Greg Wrubell during BYUtv’s ‘Coach’s Corner’ that Glasker’s injury is not season-ended and he expects the senior linebacker to return to the lineup in a few weeks. Cougar offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick didn’t share any specifics regarding  Martin’s injury to Wrubell during his interview.

But it wasn’t all bad news on the injury front.

Sitake indicated that cornerback and punt returner Cannon DeVries is fully expected to make his return to the lineup this Friday after sitting out most of the TCU game with injury while Poppinga fully anticipates the return of linebacker Siale Esera to the lineup after sitting out for the past two games.

With regards to replacing everything Martin brings to the Cougar offense, replacing him is a monumental task to be certain. The onus is likely to be placed on a mixture of converted safety Preston Rex, along with freshmen Journee Tonga and DeVaughn Eka.

“It’s not ideal going into the season or the games with possibility of having your first and second running back be out, but we feel like we’ve narrowed the gap quite a bit from (first string) to (second), and then to (third-string), and then we have a committee of guys that can do it,” Sitake said. “I think Preston Rex has done an amazing job, and Journee Tonga got in there and done some really good things, too. And we’re going to have to see DeVaughn Eka get in there and do some things.”

Beyond those three, Sitake also expressed confidence in the players behind them, such as junior Lucky Finau and freshman Logan Payne.

“That room is deep, man … we have guys that can play,” Sitake said. “These guys can play at a lot of other places, (but) they choose to be here, and so we talk about our depth, and we’re just going to have to trust it and let these guys be able to do some of the stuff that LJ was able to do. This is their time.”

Under the lights

LaVell Edwards Stadium will again host games underneath the lights after playing a somewhat unusual afternoon game three weeks ago versus Arizona.

On Monday it was announced that the much-anticipated game versus Notre Dame on October 17 will be played at 5:30 p.m. MST and will be broadcasted live on ABC. Friday’s game versus Iowa State will be carried by ESPN and will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. MST.

With regards to preparing his team to play against the Cyclones on a short week, Sitake mentioned that’s it’s hardly his first time doing as much with a plan already in place.

“The coaches are on top of it … We’ve been through this many times already, so it’s not really that big of a difference for us,” Sitake said. “It‘s mostly for the new guys that haven’t been used to the schedule in the program, and then basically you have to use a lot of hybrids. It could be half a Monday (practice session), half a Tuesday, and then you break them up. Then you get into the natural swing of things by the time you get to the game time. So, I’m looking forward to it … We’re excited to play again.”